Multi-chambered airbag with controlled pressure differentials

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a multi-chambered airbag system employing the use of baffle vents to achieve pressure differentials between the different chambers and methods of using the same.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an improved airbag system.More particularly, the airbag system of the present disclosure usespressure differentials between different airbag chambers through theemployment of a novel baffle vent design to minimize the injury topassengers of motor vehicles involved in impacts.

BACKGROUND

Airbags are generally deployed to minimize the injury to persons withina motor vehicle. Frontal impact airbags are designed to preventoccupants from sustaining injuries that could be the result of occupantsbeing propelled forward and making contact with the steering wheel orother interior part of the vehicle. These pillow-shaped airbags deployfrom the instrument panel through a pyrotechnic ignition which causesthe bags to rapidly fill with gas.

Current airbag systems generally comprise an airbag made of fabric whichinflates upon the system recognition of an impact. However, many airbagsystems deploy an airbag that is not formally confirmed to any definedshape whereby the passenger, upon contact, may slide off the airbag. Inmost cases, upon impact, occupants will be propelled forward as well aslaterally to some degree. This is where a typical airbag may not besufficient in preventing bodily contact with the interior of thevehicle. During a collision in which there is offset or angularmomentum, it is possible that the occupant may slip off the side of theairbag and make contact with the vehicle, thus increasing the likelihoodof injury. There is a continuing need for new and improved airbagsystems that enable a passenger to escape impacts with little or noinjury.

SUMMARY

The appended claims define this application. The present disclosuresummarizes aspects of the embodiments and should not be used to limitthe claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance withthe techniques described herein, as will be apparent to one havingordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings anddetailed description, and these implementations are intended to bewithin the scope of this application.

Exemplary embodiments provide for an airbag system comprising: an airbagcomprising a center chamber and two peripheral chambers; an inflator influid communication with the center chamber; the center chamber in fluidcommunication with the two peripheral chambers via internal baffle ventsconfigured to facilitate gas flow from the center chamber to the twoperipheral chambers and impede gas flow from the two peripheral chambersinto the center chamber.

Each of the peripheral chambers may be configured to receive apassenger's head, chest, left shoulder, or right shoulder. At least oneof the peripheral chambers may further comprises a tether. Theperipheral chamber configured to receive the passenger's chest maycomprise a chamber with a pressure in the range from about 120 to about170 kPa and/or a depth in the range from about 4 inches to about 13inches. The peripheral chamber configured to receive the passenger'shead may comprise a chamber with a pressure in the range from about 120to about 200 kPa and/or a depth in the range from about 6 inches toabout 16 inches. The peripheral chamber configured to receive thepassenger's left shoulder may comprise a chamber with a pressure in therange from about 120 to about 200 kPa and/or a depth in the range fromabout 6 to about 16 inches. The peripheral chamber configured to receivethe passenger's right shoulder may comprise a chamber with a pressure inthe range from about 120 to about 200 kPa and/or a depth in the rangefrom about 6 to about 16 inches.

The gas pressure within the two peripheral chambers may be greater thanthe pressure in the center chamber when the airbag is fully inflated.The gas flow from the center chamber to any peripheral chamber of thetwo peripheral chambers may flow through one or more baffle ventslocated within chamber dividers, wherein the chamber dividerssubstantially separate adjacent chambers. The chamber dividers may bemade of fabric. One or more baffle vents may have one or more holesdisposed over a hole in the chamber divider. One or more holes in thebaffle vent may comprise one central hole and four peripheral holeslocated approximately the same radial distance from the central hole.One or more baffle vents may comprise a means to impede gas flow from aperipheral chamber to the center chamber. Such means may be one or moreflaps located in the peripheral chamber configured to partially orcompletely cover one or more holes in the baffle vent. The one or moreflaps located in the peripheral chamber may be configured to partiallyor completely cover one or more holes in the baffle vent comprises fourflaps individually disposed over peripheral holes in the baffle vent andone hole of the baffle vent uncovered by a flap.

Exemplary embodiments provide for an airbag deployment methodcomprising: obtaining, by a sensor, data external to a vehicle;identifying, by a controller using the data, a sudden deceleration;deploying an airbag system as described herein.

Exemplary embodiments provide for a vehicle comprising an airbag systemas described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made toembodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in thedrawings are not necessarily to scale and related elements may beomitted to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features describedherein. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, asknown in the art. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer tolike parts throughout the different figures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the front view of aspects of one embodiment ofthe present airbag system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the present airbag system of FIG. 1 in adeployed state further identifying contact zones.

FIG. 3 is a representation of an embodiment of the baffle vents used inthe present airbag system.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict air flow through an embodiment of the baffle ventsshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the front view of aspects of one embodiment ofthe present airbag system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the present airbag system of FIG. 5 in adeployed state further identifying contact zones.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the front view of aspects of one embodiment ofthe present airbag system.

FIG. 8 is a top view of aspects of one embodiment of the present airbagsystem.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of the present airbag system of FIG. 7 in adeployed state further identifying contact zones.

FIGS. 10-11 shows the front view of aspects of different embodiments ofthe present airbag system in a deployed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

While the airbag system of the present disclosure may be embodied invarious forms, the Figures show and this Specification describes someexemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the airbag system comprisingbaffle vents to modulate pressure differentials between the differentairbag chambers. The term “airbag system” is intended to mean both theinflatable passenger-restraining multi-chambered airbag and themechanical and chemical components (such as the inflation means,ignition means, propellant, and the like). The present disclosure is anexemplification of the airbag system and does not limit the airbagsystem to the specific illustrated and described embodiments. Not all ofthe depicted or described components may be required, and someembodiments may include additional, different, or fewer components. Thearrangement and type of the components may vary without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the claims set forth herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the various aspects ofairbag design, construction, and operation applicable to the embodimentsof the present disclosure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,886,857, 7,857,347,8,128,124, 8,322,748, for example, describe many such aspects and areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In one embodiment, the airbag system comprises a four-chambered airbagdesign. In another embodiment, the airbag system comprises atwo-chambered airbag design. In yet another embodiment, the airbagsystem comprises a multi-chambered winged airbag design. This wingedairbag design comprises additional peripheral airbag chambers. Inembodiments, the additional peripheral airbag chambers may be duffelsattached or integrated into a primary airbag.

The present airbag may be constructed out of any pliable material,including polyamide 6, 6 fiber, polyesters, and others, which have theappropriate thermal capacity, toughness, modulus, etc. Representativefabrics for such use are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,921,735;5,093,163; 5,110,66; 5,236,775; 5,277,230; 5,356,680; 5,477,890;5,508,073; 5,503,197; 5,704,402, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. The airbag may be made from a single layeror a plurality of layers.

In each embodiment, the present airbag system comprises a baffle ventdesign to facilitate pressure differentials between the differentchambers of the airbag. Once an airbag-deploying event has been sensedby the vehicle, air or another gas is introduced into a central chamberof the airbag. The air or gas builds up to a certain pressure within thecentral chamber and then is passively diffused into the peripheralchamber(s). Under normal circumstances where air or gas can freely flowto and from the central and peripheral chamber(s), the pressure in eachchamber would be substantially the same. However, in the presentdisclosure, a baffle vent is employed so that a pressure differentialexists between the peripheral and central chambers. Through the use ofthese baffle vents, the pressure within the peripheral chamber(s) isgreater than the pressure of the central chamber once the airbag isfully deployed.

The baffle vents in the present airbag system are incorporated into oneor more dividers. A single divider may be made of a single layer or aplurality of layers. Dividers in the present airbag define the differentchambers. These dividers can be made of any pliable material used toconstruct the present airbag. Within the dividers, one or more holes maybe present to allow gas to flow from one chamber to another chamber.Absent any baffle vents, the holes in the dividers would allow gas toflow between adjacent airbag chambers until a substantially equalpressure existed between the adjacent chambers. However, the use of thepresent baffle vents in the present airbag system allows the gas to flowfrom a first chamber to a second adjacent chamber whereby the pressurein the second adjacent chamber is greater than the pressure in the firstchamber. This pressure differential between adjacent chambers isaccomplished due to the present baffle vent design. The present bafflevent design allows gas to freely flow from a first chamber to a secondadjacent chamber and impede the flow of gas from the second adjacentchamber to the first chamber. This impediment creates the pressuredifferential because the pressures within the present airbag are notallowed to stabilize uniformly.

In some embodiments, the first chamber is a central chamber thatreceives gas directly from the inflator and the second adjacent chamberis a peripheral chamber directly adjacent to the central chamber. Inthis embodiment, a plurality of peripheral chambers may be used. Inother embodiments, the first chamber is a peripheral chamber directlyadjacent to a central chamber and the second adjacent chamber is aanother peripheral chamber directly adjacent to the central chamber. Inyet other embodiments, the first chamber is a peripheral chamberdirectly adjacent to the central chamber and the second adjacent chamberis an additional peripheral chamber directly adjacent to the peripheralchamber.

The present baffle vents comprise a plurality of holes that function aspassages for gas to flow from a first chamber into a second adjacentchamber. In embodiments, the present baffle vents comprise 2 to 21holes. In other embodiments, the present baffle vents comprise 2 holes;alternatively, 3 holes; alternatively, 4 holes; alternatively, 5 holes;alternatively, 6 holes; alternatively, 7 holes; alternatively, 8 holes;alternatively, 9 holes; alternatively, 10 holes; or alternatively, 11holes.

The present baffle vents further comprise a means for impeding gas flowfrom a second adjacent chamber to a first chamber. In embodiments, themeans for impeding gas flow from a second adjacent chamber to a firstchamber comprises a flap disposed within the second adjacent chamberthat functions to allow gas to flow into the second adjacent chamber,but impedes or substantially blocks gas flow from the second adjacentchamber to the first chamber. In other embodiments, the means forimpeding gas flow from a second adjacent chamber to a first chambercomprises a baffle vent design whereby the baffle vent collapses whengas attempts to flow from a second adjacent chamber to a first chambersuch that one or more holes present in the baffle vent is blocked by thedivider.

The present baffle vents impede gas flow from a second chamber to afirst chamber by obstructing one or more holes in the baffle vent thatallow gas to flow freely from the first chamber to the second adjacentchamber, but not vice versa. For example, if X holes are available forgas to flow from a first chamber to a second adjacent chamber, thepresent baffle vent comprises (X-1) of holes available for gas to flowfrom a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively,(X-2) of holes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamberto the first chamber; alternatively, (X-3) of holes available for gas toflow from a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively,(X-4) of holes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamberto the first chamber; alternatively, (X-5) of holes available for gas toflow from a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively,(X-6) of holes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamberto the first chamber; alternatively, (X-7) of holes available for gas toflow from a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively,(X-8) of holes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamberto the first chamber; alternatively, (X-9) of holes available for gas toflow from a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively,(X-10) of holes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamberto the first chamber; alternatively, (X-11) of holes available for gasto flow from a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber;alternatively, (X-12) of holes available for gas to flow from a secondadjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively, (X-13) of holesavailable for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamber to the firstchamber; alternatively, (X-14) of holes available for gas to flow from asecond adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively, (X-15) ofholes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamber to thefirst chamber; alternatively, (X-16) of holes available for gas to flowfrom a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively,(X-17) of holes available for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamberto the first chamber; alternatively, (X-18) of holes available for gasto flow from a second adjacent chamber to the first chamber;alternatively, (X-19) of holes available for gas to flow from a secondadjacent chamber to the first chamber; alternatively, (X-20) of holesavailable for gas to flow from a second adjacent chamber to the firstchamber.

The present baffle vents may be disposed in any divider. In embodiments,the present baffle vents may be disposed within dividers between acentral chamber and a peripheral chamber. In embodiments, the presentbaffle vents may be disposed within dividers between adjacent peripheralchambers. In embodiments, the present baffle vents may be disposedwithin dividers between a peripheral chamber adjacent to the centralchamber and an additional peripheral chamber adjacent to the peripheralchamber. In these embodiments, a pressure differential may exist betweenthe different chambers.

In some embodiments, the pressure in a central chamber is less than thepressure in a peripheral chamber. In some embodiments, the pressure in acentral chamber may range from about 120 to about 170 kPa;alternatively, 120 to 170 kPa; alternatively, 120 to 150 kPa;alternatively, 140 to 170 kPa; or alternatively, 130 to 160 kPa. In someembodiments, the pressure in a peripheral chamber may range from about120 to about 200 kPa; alternatively, 120 to 200 kPa; alternatively, 120to 160 kPa; alternatively, 160 to 200 kPa; alternatively, 140 to 180kPa; or alternatively, 130 to 170 kPa. In some embodiments, the pressurein an additional peripheral chamber may range from about 120 to about200 kPa; alternatively, 120 to 200 kPa; alternatively, 120 to 160 kPa;alternatively, 160 to 200 kPa; alternatively, 140 to 180 kPa; oralternatively, 130 to 170 kPa. In some embodiments, tethers may beincorporated into the present airbag to ensure the airbag deploys withthe desired geometry. In some embodiments, the desired geometry may haveperipheral chambers with a greater depth than the central chamber toensure the passenger does not contact an undesired aspect of thevehicle. In other embodiments, the desired geometry may have differentdepths depending on the intended contact zones. For example, it may beadvantageous in some embodiments to have the chamber involved with thechest contact zone to have a greater depth than the chamber involvedwith the head contact zone. As another example, it may be advantageousin some embodiments to have the left and/or right shoulder contact zonesto have a greater depth than the head and/or chest contact zones.

In some embodiments, the depth of the central chamber may range fromabout 4 to about 13 inches; alternatively, 4 to 13 inches;alternatively, 4 to 8 inches; alternatively, 9 to 13 inches; oralternatively 7 to 11 inches. In some embodiments, the depth of theperipheral chambers may range from about 6 to about 16 inches;alternatively, 6 to 16 inches; alternatively, 6 to 11 inches;alternatively, 11 to 16 inches; or alternatively, 8.5 to 13.5 inches. Insome embodiments, the depth of the additional peripheral chambers mayrange from from about 6 to about 16 inches; alternatively, 6 to 16inches; alternatively, 6 to 11 inches; alternatively, 11 to 16 inches;or alternatively, 8.5 to 13.5 inches.

Turning to the figures, the embodiments provided herein are described indetail. FIG. 1 depicts aspects of an embodiment of the present airbagsystem. An inflator (not shown) is fluidly connected to introduce gasinto the central chamber 10. The initial gas flow is shown by the arrowsflowing from the central chamber 10 to peripheral chambers 11, 12.Dividers 40 are used to define these chambers. Holes within the dividersallow gas to flow from one chamber to another. Tethers 20, 21 are usedto control the geometry or stiffness of the airbag in its deployedstate. Stitching 30 in the airbag can also be used to control thedesired geometry of the present airbag in its deployed state. Element 30may also be a tether to control the stiffness or depth of the peripheralchamber. FIG. 2 shows the airbag of FIG. 1 in its deployed state. Eachof the chambers 10 (not shown), 11, 12 expands upon introduction of gasinto each chamber and fills a portion of the void within the vehicle'spassenger compartment. In this embodiment, present baffle vents would bedisposed over the holes where the arrows are showing gas flow through,and optionally within any other divider 40. One or more baffle vents 50may be disposed within any or all of the dividers 40 present in thisembodiment, including dividers 40 between the peripheral chambers 11, 12(not shown). Further, baffle vents 50 may be disposed in the dividersbetween the central chamber 10 and the adjacent peripheral chambers 11,12. The presence of these baffle vents 50 will control the pressuredifferentials between the different chambers. FIG. 2 further identifiesthe head contact zone 60, the left-shoulder contact zone 61, and theright shoulder contact zone 62 of an embodiment of the present airbagsystem. In this embodiment, the head contact zone comprises a lowerpressure chamber surrounded by higher pressure chambers, which allowsthe head to be stabilized and prevents the head rolling off the airbagand contacting an aspect of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 depicts the front view of a present baffle vent 50 from aperspective from a second adjacent chamber looking into a first chamber.The present baffle vent 50 is disposed over a hole 41 in a divider 40.The present baffle vent is attached to the divider along the edge of thebaffle vent 52 using conventional means, such as sewing, riveting,gluing, etc. The baffle vent may be constructed of coated fabric(similar to airbag material). Aspects of the baffle vent are solid 53and do not allow gas to flow therethrough. In this embodiment, a totalof 5 holes are present in the baffle vent 50: one centered in the bafflevent and four located at a substantially uniform radius from the centerhole. FIG. 3 shows a cut-away of the sold portion of the baffle vent 53to show the divider 40 and its respective hole 41. In this embodiment,the hole of the divider 41 is in alignment with the hole(s) of thebaffle vent. See FIG. 4B, element 55. A plurality of holes in the bafflevent (not shown) may be covered by a plurality of flaps 51. These flaps51 allow gas to flow from a first chamber 10 to a second adjacentchamber when pressure from the first chamber forces them open. Theseflaps 51 also impede or substantially block the flow of gas from thesecond adjacent chamber to the first chamber, even when the pressurewithin the second adjacent chamber is greater than the pressure withinthe first chamber.

FIGS. 4A through 4C show a side perspective view of one embodiment ofthe present baffle vents. FIG. 4A shows that the present baffle ventcovers a hole 41 in the divider 40 and is attached to the divider. FIG.4B shows when gas pressure increases from a first chamber, the gasfreely flows from a first chamber to a second adjacent chamber through aplurality of holes 54, 55 in the baffle vent. FIG. 4C depicts when thepressure in the second adjacent chamber reaches a certain level, gaswill attempt to flow back into the first chamber from the secondadjacent chamber. When the gas attempts to flow back into the firstchamber, the orientation of the present baffle vent changes andcollapses toward the hole 41 in the divider 40. When collapsed, some ofthe holes 54 that previously allowed gas to flow from the first chamberto the second adjacent chamber (FIG. 4B), are blocked by the wall of thedivider 40, thus impeding the flow of gas to the first chamber. In someembodiments one or more holes of the present baffle vent are not blocked55 under conditions presented in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5 depicts the front view of another embodiment of the presentairbag wherein a total of four peripheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14 arepresent and are in direct fluid communication with a central chamber 10.The arrows in FIG. 5 represent the airflow from the inflator to thecentral chamber 10 and then to the adjacent peripheral chambers 11, 12,13, 14. The dimensions of each chamber are defined, in part, by thedividers 40 disposed within the present airbag. Tethers 20 may be usedto control the stiffness and depth of any chamber. FIG. 5 shows a tether20 disposed within one peripheral chamber 13. One or more baffle vents50 may be disposed within any or all of the dividers 40 present in thisembodiment, including dividers 40 between the peripheral chambers 11,12, 13, 14 (not shown). Further, baffle vents 50 may be disposed in thedividers between the central chamber 10 and the adjacent peripheralchambers 11, 12, 13, 14. The presence and orientation of these bafflevents 50 will control the pressure differentials between the differentchambers.

FIG. 6 represents the front view of the airbag of FIG. 5 in a deployedstate. In this embodiment, the airbag is designed to have a head contactzone 60, a left shoulder contact zone 61, a right shoulder contact zone62, and a chest contact zone 63. The head contact zone comprisesportions of the central chamber 10, the top peripheral chamber 11, theleft peripheral chamber 14, and the right peripheral chamber 12. Thechest contact zone 63 comprises portions of the left peripheral chamber14, the right peripheral chamber 12, and the bottom peripheral chamber13. Comparing FIG. 5 (undeployed state) with FIG. 6 (deployed state),one or ordinary skill would appreciate the volume of the airbag in thedeployed state increases (represented by shading) while it fills aportion of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

FIG. 7 depicts the front view of yet another embodiment of the presentairbag wherein a total of four peripheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14 arepresent and are in direct fluid communication with a central chamber 10.In this embodiment, additional peripheral chambers 15 are disposedwithin peripheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14. In some embodiments, theseadditional peripheral chambers 15 may be additional chambers formed bythe presence of additional dividers 40. In other embodiments, theseadditional peripheral chambers may be duffels attached to or integratedinto the primary airbag. The additional peripheral chambers 15 must beattached in a manner that allows gas to flow from the adjacentperipheral chamber 11, 12, 13, 14 into the respective additionalperipheral chamber 15. In some embodiments, the pressure in theseadditional peripheral chambers 15 is equal to the pressure in theadjacent peripheral chamber 11, 12, 13, 14. In other embodiments, thepressure in these additional peripheral chambers is greater to thepressure in the adjacent peripheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14 when bafflevents are disposed between the adjacent peripheral chamber 11, 12, 13,14 and the additional peripheral chamber 15. As would be appreciated bythose skilled in the art, the pressure differentials between differentchambers is a function or the number of present baffle vents and theirorientation.

FIG. 8 represents a top view of the deployed airbag similar to theairbag depicted in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the additional peripheralchambers have a greater depth than the top peripheral chamber 11. Theadditional airbag 15 adjacent to the top peripheral chamber 11 is notshown in this figure. These additional peripheral chambers with agreater depth provide additional protection for passengers involved inlateral or partially lateral impact events.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the deployed airbag depicted in FIG. 7. Inthis embodiment, the gas flows from a central chamber 10 into theperipheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14 and then into the additionalperipheral chambers 15. The head impact zone 60 comprises portions ofthe top peripheral chamber 11 and the central chamber 10. The leftshould impact zone 61 comprises portions of the left peripheral chamber14 and the adjacent additional peripheral chamber 15. The right shoulderimpact zone 62 comprises portions of the right peripheral chamber 12 andthe adjacent additional peripheral chamber 15. The chest impact zone 63comprises portions of the left peripheral chamber 14, the rightperipheral chamber 12, the bottom peripheral chamber 13, and theadditional peripheral chamber 15 immediately adjacent to the bottomperipheral chamber 13. Although the gas flow is not shown, gas must beable to pass from the peripheral chamber 11, 12, 13, 14 to the adjacentadditional peripheral chamber 15. One or more affer vents 50 may bedisposed within any or all of the dividers 40 present in thisembodiment, including dividers 40 between the peripheral chambers 11,12, 13, 14 and the adjacent additional peripheral chambers 15 (notshown). Further, baffle vents 50 may be disposed in the dividers betweenthe different peripheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14 (not shown). Stillfurther, baffle vents 50 may be disposed in the dividers between thecentral chamber 10 and the adjacent peripheral chambers 11, 12, 13, 14.The presence of these baffle vents 50 will control the pressuredifferentials between the different chambers.

FIGS. 10-11 depict alternative embodiments of the present airbag. Inthese embodiments the dividers 40 are shown to define peripheralchambers 11, 12, 13, 14 of different shapes. In order to prevent thepassenger from contacting an aspect of the vehicle, different peripheralchamber designs may be used. These divider configurations may becustomized for a type of vehicle (e.g., car or truck), country or regionof vehicle operation (e.g., North America or Europe), or otherconsiderations known to persons skilled in the art.

We claim:
 1. An airbag system comprising: an airbag comprising a centerchamber and two peripheral chambers; an inflator in fluid communicationwith the center chamber; the center chamber in fluid communication withthe two peripheral chambers via internal baffle vents, wherein eachinternal baffle vent comprises: a center gas flow hole configured toremain open at all times and allow fluid to freely pass between thecenter chamber and one of the two peripheral chambers and one or moreperipheral gas flow holes configured to open to allow fluid to freelypass from the center chamber to one of the two peripheral chambers andto close to prevent fluid from flowing from the one of the twoperipheral chambers into the center chamber.
 2. The airbag system ofclaim 1, wherein a gas pressure within the two peripheral chambers isgreater than a pressure in the center chamber when the airbag is fullyinflated.
 3. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein each of the twoperipheral chambers is configured to receive a passenger's head, chest,left shoulder, or right shoulder.
 4. The airbag system of claim 3,wherein at least one of the two peripheral chambers further comprises atether.
 5. The airbag system of claim 3, wherein the peripheral chamberconfigured to receive the passenger's chest comprises a chamber with apressure in a range from about 120 to about 170 kPa.
 6. The airbagsystem of claim 3, wherein the peripheral chamber configured to receivethe passenger's chest comprises a chamber with a depth in a range fromabout 4 inches to about 13 inches.
 7. The airbag system of claim 3,wherein the peripheral chamber configured to receive the passenger'shead comprises a chamber with a pressure in a range from about 120 toabout 200 kPa.
 8. The airbag system of claim 3, wherein the peripheralchamber configured to receive the passenger's head comprises a chamberwith a depth in a range from about 6 inches to about 16 inches.
 9. Theairbag system of claim 3, wherein the peripheral chamber configured toreceive the passenger's left shoulder comprises a chamber with apressure in a range from about 120 to about 200 kPa.
 10. The airbagsystem of claim 3, wherein the peripheral chamber configured to receivethe passenger's right shoulder comprises a chamber with a pressure in arange from about 120 to about 200 kPa.
 11. The airbag system of claim 3,wherein the peripheral chamber configured to receive the passenger'sleft shoulder comprises a chamber with a depth in a range from about 6to about 16 inches; wherein the peripheral chamber configured to receivethe passenger's right shoulder comprises a chamber with a depth in arange from about 6 to about 16 inches.
 12. The airbag system of claim 1,wherein each internal baffle vent is disposed over a hole in a chamberdivider, wherein the chamber divider substantially separates adjacentchambers.
 13. The airbag system of claim 12, wherein the one or moreperipheral gas flow holes are partially or completely blocked by aportion of the chamber divider when fluid attempts to enter the centerchamber from one of the two peripheral chambers.
 14. The airbag systemof claim 12, wherein the chamber divider comprises fabric.
 15. Theairbag system of claim 1, wherein the one or more peripheral gas flowholes comprise two or more peripheral gas flow holes, wherein the two ormore peripheral gas flow holes are located approximately the same radialdistance from the center gas flow hole.
 16. The airbag system of claim1, wherein the one or more peripheral gas flow holes configured toprevent fluid from flowing from one of the two peripheral chambers intothe center chamber comprises one or more flaps located in the one of thetwo peripheral chambers configured to partially or completely cover theone or more peripheral gas flow holes when fluid attempts to enter thecenter chamber.
 17. The airbag system of claim 16, wherein the one ormore flaps located in the one of the two peripheral chambers configuredto partially or completely cover the one or more peripheral gas flowholes when fluid attempts to enter the center chamber comprises fourflaps individually disposed over four peripheral gas flow holes.
 18. Anairbag deployment method comprising: obtaining, by a sensor, dataexternal to a vehicle; identifying, by a controller using the data, asudden deceleration; deploying an airbag system as described in claim 1.19. A vehicle comprising an airbag system as described in claim
 1. 20. Avehicle airbag comprising: internal baffles vent disposed between acentral chamber and two adjacent peripheral chambers, wherein eachinternal baffle vent comprises an always open central fluid passage anda plurality of peripheral fluid passages, wherein the peripheral fluidpassages are configured to allow fluid to flow freely from the centralchamber to an adjacent peripheral chamber and prevent fluid from flowingfrom the adjacent peripheral chamber to the central chamber.